NEWTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DATE: TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015
TIME: 5:30PM
LOCATION: NEWTON TOWN HALL, 2 TOWN HALL ROAD
PUBLIC MEETING
- Call to Order, Roll Call Vote
Vice Chairman Doggett opened the meeting at 5:37pm. In attendance were Selectmen James L. Doggett, Vice Chairman, Matthew A. Burrill, Lawrence B. Foote, Lisa L. Gonyer, Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. The meeting was audio and video taped; draft minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Winglass.
Chairman Robert S. Donovan, Jr. was not in attendance.
Burrill moved to go into Nonpublic Session under RSA 91-A:3 II (c) - Deeding; (d) - 8 Merrimac Road; (a) & (b) - Police Department; (a) - Performance Evaluation - Transfer Station. Second by Foote with a unanimous roll call vote: Doggett - aye; Burrill - aye; Foote - aye; Gonyer - aye.
Selectman Burrill moved to close the Non-Public Meeting at 6:55 pm.~ Second by Selectman Gonyer with a unanimous roll call vote to keep all matters confidential, until in the opinion of the majority of the members the circumstances no longer apply. ~Doggett – aye, Burrill – aye, Foote – aye, Gonyer – aye.
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Introduction of Guests
- Approval of Minutes (Review prior to meeting)
- Selectmen’s Public and Nonpublic Meeting minutes dated April 21, 2015
Town Administrator Wrigley asked for the Board to make a correction to a motion made on April 21st to the Trustees of Trust Funds on the purchase of the Fire House Software.
The motion made at the April 21st meeting: Doggett moved to sign the letter to the Trustees of Trust Funds to pay Fire House for the first year. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
Wrigley asked for the Board to amend the motion using the wording in the letter authorizing an additional expenditure of $679.00 from the Trustees to purchase Fire House through a cloud application. The original vote was not to exceed $2,000 to purchase the software; the first quote to purchase and onsite support came in at $1,220.00. After a better understand of the restrictions by having it onsite, a cloud application was determined as the best option to serve the department. The additional cost is $679.00 for the cloud version.
Doggett moved to approve the minutes of April 21, 2015 with the amendment to sign the letter to the Trustees of the Trust Fund for the additional expenditure of $679.00 to pay Fire House for the first year. Second for discussion by Burrill. Foote talked about a grant application that he hopes to receive the Board of Selectmen’s approval tonight which will cover 50% of the cost. Wrigley added that the checks have been cut by the Trustees of Trust Funds and she has been holding on to them. The checks can be resubmitted back into the account for the grant money must be submitted into the General Fund. Wrigley suggested that the Board rescind the motion and the checks get deposited back into the Trust Fund Account. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
7PM - Public Hearing on Amendments to the Town Parks and Recreation Areas Ordinance
Vice Chairman Doggett opened the Public Hearing at 7:10pm.
Two changes to the ordinance are recommended by the Recreation Commission and the Board of Selectmen as follows;
Under Town Beach,
K. All children need to be supervised by parents or guardian caretakers at all times. Add the following language: Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied and supervised by an Adult.
Z. No unauthorized use by group(s); must receive approval by the Town. Add the following language: The following use of the Town Beach and its apparatus is prohibited without approval of the Board of Selectman: ~Use by guests and/or members of private camp grounds, clubs or the like; Use by groups of 10 or more people.
The Board asked for any public comment or input. Annie Collyer, Chairman of the Recreation Commission clarified the need for the change and if any resident would like to use the facility, as a group for a private use such as a birthday party etc, a permit must be completed at the Selectmen’s Office.
Burrill added that the town posted a legal notice in the newspaper and two other locations, website and at Town Hall per the State Law. The Board decided to send out a courtesy letter to the two campgrounds in town and to the Newton Learning Center for as a commercial enterprise they will need to be permitted as well. Office Manager Winglass informed the Board that in the past the Learning Center received a summer permit to use the beach, mainly for the swim lessons and every year the town has sent a letter to the campgrounds in town. Approval for use of the facilities must be given by the Board of Selectmen.
Town Administrator Wrigley asked to make one additional amendment under Z it should read Board of Selectmen not Board of Selectman.
Doggett moved to close the public hearing at 7:17pm.
Burrill moved to accept the proposed amendments to the Town Parks & Recreation Areas Ordinance as prescribed in the notice for a public hearing with a slight literacy amendment under letter Z change from Board of Selectman to Board of Selectmen. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
- Update on Memorial Day Events
Annie Collyer Recreation Commission Chairperson gave an update on the parade with Road Agent Mike Pivero and Cemetery Trustee Bill Landry helping to get in contact with the Veterans. All town Boards and committees, district members and representatives were contacted to participate in the parade. Ken Wilder will speak on the 150 Anniversary of the end of the Civil War.
Burrill requested to make an official motion to nominate William H. Thomas, II as our Grand Marshall for this year’s Memorial Day Parade. Second by Doggett. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Firefighter families are donating coffee and pastries in advance of the parade at the Central Fire Station. Muster is at 9:30am at the Central Fire Station and participants are encouraged to park at the Memorial School. Transportation will be available from the Memorial School to the Central Fire Station prior to the parade only.
Vehicles will be available for transporting Veterans. Peanut Trail can be used as a shortcut for anyone who would prefer to reduce the walk. The route is 2.2 miles starting at the Central Fire Station at 16 South Main Street to Highland Street to the Whittier Street Cemetery. At a parade pace this should take about 45 minutes and is mainly a flat road or going downhill. The map with all the details on the parade will be posted on the website. One reason for extending the route is with the hope for a greater participation this year. Signs will be posted a few days before the parade showing the route.
- Letter of appreciation of cameras donated to the Recreation Commission
Burrill read a thank you letter to Thomas Kelley, Area Sales Manager of Axis Communications expressing appreciation for the donation of (8) security cameras. Six (6) will be installed at Greenie Park and (2) at the Town Beach.
Burrill moved to sign the letter as written to Axis Communications. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Office Manager Winglass informed the Board that the installation of the cameras should be completed by the end of June.
- Letter of appreciation to Dana Allison, member of the Board of Appeals
Burrill read a thank you letter to Dana Allison who has been a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for many years and is now retiring and moving to Florida. The Board wished him well with his move to Florida.
Burrill moved to sign the letter. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
- Cont review of PTO for Permanent Part Time Employees
Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector Cheryl Saunders was present to review the information she received when researching surrounding towns and their policy for benefits to part time employees. A spreadsheet was prepared and Cheryl discussed that each town’s policy is very different, no one has permanent part time employees.
Burrill asked to work with the spreadsheet as prepared to include Newton as a comparison to the other towns. This item was tabled until May 19th for Burrill will firm up the data, we have the numbers now we just need to crunch them for comparison.
- March 3, 2015 minutes, pay Grade amendment
Town Administrator Wrigley asked for this item to be on the agenda. The minutes dated March 3, 2015 has a typographical error to the Permit Clerk’s Grade from the Matrix Schedule. The minutes state Grade XI when it should be Grade VI
Doggett moved to amend the minutes dated March 3, 2015 under Permit Clerk, change from Grade XI to Grade VI. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
- Per RSA 31:95-b to accept and expend unanticipated funds to the Newton Food Pantry; $15.10 from the Newton Learning Center and $100 from the Newton Historical Society
Foote moved to accept and expend unanticipated funds to the Newton Food Pantry in the amount of $15.10 from the Newton Learning Center. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
Burrill moved to accept and expend unanticipated funds to the Newton Food Pantry in the amount of $100 to the Newton Food Pantry from the Newton Historical Society. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
- Email from Moderator Robert Dezmelyk Re: 2015 ZBA Appointments
Burrill moved to sign an appointment for Thomas McElroy as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals with an expiration date of March 31, 2018. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Burrill moved to appoint for Michael Connolly from an Alternate to a Regular member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote. Expiration date is 2017.
Burrill moved to sign an appointment for Frank Gibbs as an Alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals with an expiration date of March 31, 2018. Second by Gonyer with a unanimous vote.
- Announcements
- Other Business, Sign Manifests, Requisitions, Abatements, Tax Credits, Correspondence and Appointments
Foote moved to sign the Payroll Manifest dated 05/08/2015 for the pay period 4/19 - 5/2. Second by Gonyer with a unanimous vote.
Burrill moved to sign the Vendor Manifest dated 05/05/2015 in the amount of $30,595.69. Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Gonyer moved to sign the 2015 Tax Collector’s Warrant dated May 5, 2015 . Second by Foote with a unanimous vote.
Foote moved to sign an appointment for Robert Faghan, member of the Recreation Commission with an expiration date of April 15, 2018. Second by Gonyer with a unanimous vote.
Mike Pivero, Road Agent
Pivero addressed the Board under Other Business to discuss the concession stand at Greenie Park. Pivero stated that more work needs to be done and he is volunteering his time to move the work along in order to function under a State license. Pivero would like to start by putting a plan in place to start with a basic license under the Town of Newton. This will allow the town to use the concession stand for town events as well as Newton Baseball during their season.
In order to pull this together, Pivero asked for the Board to approve Winglass to help with the communication work to get the license. Will need to work with Recreation to budget for some repairs but Pivero will be the facilitator procuring the license. The Board was in agreement to move forward and thanked Pivero for helping with this project.
The Board asked about the work to the drain at the Central Fire Station. Pivero replied that he has not started the work yet but plans on completing the work before Memorial Day.
Fire Truck Lease Purchase Agreement
Town Administrator Wrigley asked if anyone has had the time to review the documentation. We are still waiting for a legal opinion yet we have a deadline of May 8th to sign the agreement. Wrigley put in a request for an extension but has not received a response. The Board felt that an extension would be granted but scheduled a meeting for Thursday, May 7th at 6pm to review this item only.
Emergency Management Performance Grant
Emergency Management Director Larry Foote informed the Board that the town has been approved for grant funding as part of an (EMPG) Emergency Management Performance Grant Program in the amount of $22,106.00.
Items to purchase include an infrared digital camera; a generator and lighting, a gas meter, Fire House software five year contract and a digital camera. Total grant is $22,106 with the Federal Government picking up $11,053.00 and the town paying the other 50% of $11,053.00 paid out of EMD and the Fire Department budgets.
Burrill moved to sign and accept the EMPG grant agreement as presented. Second by Gonyer. Amendment to the motion to include that the town cost is to come from the EMD and Fire Department budget. Motion passed with a unanimous vote.
Rescind motion for the purchase of the Fire House software for now it is to be paid out of the EMD and Fire Department budget versus the Emergency Operations Center Expendable Trust Fund Account.
Foote moved to return the $679 to the Trustees to redeposit into the account that it was withdrawn from and the $1,220 for a total of $1,879. Second by Burrill with a unanimous vote.
Burrill moved to adjourn at 8:39pm. Second by Gonyer with a unanimous vote.
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